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To the practitioner of Chinese medicine the tongue is a tool which they can use to aid in making a diagnosis when using a traditional form of Chinese medicine such as acupuncture or herbal remedies. The tongue is supplied by both the nervous system and the circulatory system and is constantly bathed in saliva; it contains water, mucous, enzymes and electrolytes.

Due to this, the tongue is a very sensitive organ and is one organ which can change depending on how we feel and the state of our health. Therefore, the Chinese believe that by observing the tongue we can find a great deal out about our body and our health, when the practitioner asks you to stick out your tongue they check the appearance of it in three different areas.

The first area – the overall

The practitioner will take at look at the size of the tongue compared to the size of the opening of the mouth and any teeth marks where the tongue has been resting against the teeth. They will also look for any signs of lacerations or ulcerations which give them an indication that your body is prone to swelling or inflammation. The practitioner will also take into account the colour of the tongue as this gives a good indication on our overall health.

The tongue is said to be normal when it is a pinkish red colour with a little shine, if it is pale then this could be a sign of anaemia or that the body is in a general run down state. If it is too red then this could show signs of hyperactivity in parts of the body, if there is a tinge of purple then this could mean that their could be pain, blockage or congestion within the body. When looking at the tongue in general the practitioner can asses the overall health of the person before going deeper into the diagnosis.

The second are – The coating of the tongue

There should be a thin clear coating on the normal tongue and if the tongue becomes thick then this usually indicates that there is an imbalance in the digestive system. If the coat of the tongue peels then certain areas or systems in the body are thought to be damaged or in a weakened state. If the tongue has a yellowish, coating then this is the sign that infection is present within the body or that there are problems with inflammation.

The third area – regional analysis

Different areas of the tongue represent different areas of the body; one area of the tongue represents the functioning of the nervous system and the immune system. Changes to this area of the tongue indicate that cold, flu, respiratory infections, sleep disorders and changes to the person’s mental state are present. Another section represents the liver and the detoxification areas of the body and changes to this area indicate that there is high toxicity levels present in the body.

One area represents the digestive system and changes to this area represent problems with absorption and digestive problems. The last area represents the urogential systems and the intestines, if there are changes such as peeling in this area then this usually means a sign of adrenal weakness or lower back pain. Other signs of problems in this area are problems with the urinary tract, the reproductive system and elimination systems and these are normally indicated by a thick yellow coating.